Aside from getting our yearly vaccination, one other fundamental thing that all of us can do to ward off the flu and illness is thoroughly and frequently wash our hands. According to the Centers for Disease Control, cleaning our hands is the single most important thing that we can do to keep from getting sick […]
food safety
Back to School Lunch Time
As the summer winds down and school is back in session, many parents are faced with packing lunches that need to be satisfying, nutritious, and safe. Children are one of the most vulnerable groups when it comes to food poisoning. Parents need to take precautions to be sure they are not accidentally putting their kids […]
Keepin’ It Cool: Traveling Safely with Food during the Summer
This post comes to you from my makeshift office at the Vinton County Fairgrounds. It’s hot, it’s humid, and there’s no relief in sight. In short- it’s summer! I like each of the four seasons for different reasons, but summer is my absolute favorite. I enjoy the sunshine, the warm temperatures, and all of the […]
Prepare to Preserve: Pressure Canner Testing
Finally, summer is here and your garden may be offering a bounty of fresh produce. If you plan to preserve your harvest throughout the season by using a pressure canner, one of the most important things that you can do in preparation for canning season is to get your pressure canner’s gauge tested for accuracy. […]
Food Safety: Nothing to Sneeze About
As a nation our consumption of produce, or fruits and vegetables, is increasing. We are encouraged to have 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily. We are not meeting this goal but we are moving towards it. As we consume more produce we are at a higher risk of foodborne illness. In fact, 21% of […]
Happy [and Safe] Birthday!
Almost every single member of my immediate and extended family has a birthday in March or April. For us, it is a time of gifting, celebrating and eating cake! It seemed like a great time to shed some light on a that question I get often: Can I leave cakes or pastries made with buttercream […]